(CNN)–Addressing Hispanic voters on Sunday, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney said the importance of immigration was lost in recent debate. "I know this debate about immigration law has been very much misused and mischaracterized by a lot of people. I think it's very important that we as a party communicate how much we value immigration," the GOP presidential hopeful said.

Calling Hispanics "quintessentially American", Romney said it was important to remember their contribution to American society when discussing immigration reform. "That we value the willingness of people and the desire of people to come here," he said, "particularly those of Hispanic origin have very much the values that have formed the fundamental culture of America."

Romney spoke at the Republican National Hispanic Assembly's annual convention in Washington, D.C. Later in the day he was planning to campaign in New Hampshire

I don't know of anyone that is complaining about the immigrants in this country, It is the illegals that Americans are complaining about, and the republicans (or democrats) avoid the issue by saying we hate immigrants. They are one way, one sided and only want the self interest, whatever that may be.

sharon, you are living in a dream world, where you tax those that create the jobs adn those that fund government services.

when will you socialists learn that 'greed' makes life better for all. we are free in this country to take control of our own lives and destinies. we don't need the government to take care of us. sure we need a modest safety net for those not capable of taking care of themselves, but the rest of us, if you want to be well off, get working!

people like you think europe is so great. the problem with that is that nobody can find jobs in a place where you tax everobody and give out entitlements like lolipops. look at their unemployment rate, look at their economic growth, stagnant.

our approach, as our economy grows, raises teh standard of of living for all.

Hi Sharon from California, can you even say the words illegal immigration?

If building a fence and throwing these bums out is what he wants to do, I can't wait to cancel out your vote.

Stop spewing the myth that Republicans don't care, besides this idiot president we embrace with all our hearts and souls the people that want to immigrate LEGALLY.

This knucklehead in compliance with his "legacy" and bleeding heart Democrats in allowing for ILLEGALS to stay here, means the salary structure for "GOD YES" lower and middle class hard working people to be lower than what they should be.

Anybody go shopping lately, SUV's, IPOD's, IPHONES, $35 Harry Potter books, Game systems etc, etc are flying off the shelf and it is because we are a capitalist society, not a socialist one that California Liberals would so embrace.

We were in a recession when this idiot took over and one of the few things financial a President can do is give tax breaks, and he did for EVERYONE that pays them and the shortest recession in our history was over.

Democrats pander to every business, every ethnicity, so pander away amigo, pander away.

Mitt Romney is the KING OF THE FLIP FLOPPERS! For the Democrats, he would be the perfect Republican nominee. All they have to do is run video clips from YouTube to show how this guy never holds the same position on any issue. His recent criticism of Barack Obama was ridiculous. For all his money and presidential looks, he is a LOSER with a capital L!

Romney is addressing Hispanic VOTERS, (ie those who immigrated legally, those who pay taxes, citizens, etc.) He is not pandering since he is talking to normal citizens.

In regards to illegal immigration – Just because you live next door, doesn't mean you have a right to everything your neighbor has. There is a mutually beneficial process for legal immigration and it is only fair.

Illegal immigrants do not pay taxes, they do do pay for the U.S.'s infra structure. They don't help pay for the roads, the schools, the hospitals, the police, the fireman.....services that they use extensively.

Of course Hispanics must be courted! But from a "law and order" + "family values" perspective, not the "handouts" perspective. They are a huge demographic that could/should be aligning with the Republican party. But to date, the idiot Republicans have only made them the enemy through Bush's horrible amnesty bill.

I have no doubt you're attempting to impune a group of people here through labeling them... but who are extreme christians and what makes them extreme?

"Those few who still believe in the war will continue to support McCain"

You're referring to the same McCain whose campaign is imploding? McCain won't be around long enough to garner many more votes. And once McCain is out of the race... who will this pro-war voters be supporting... Hillary (the democratic pro-war candidate)??

"African Americans are largely voting democrat"

I sincerely hope there comes a day when AMERICANS (with darker skin) see such presumptions to be insulting – insuating they're a herd that always votes for democrats. Sadly it won't be the Democrats that break the notion of status-quo.

"Who did you have left to align? Ahh the Hispanic Community"

Does your world exist as white and non-white, Sharon? You seem to lump everyone into some label (extreme christian, african american, hispanic). Stop viewing people based on their ethnicity or religious affiliation – this is what bigots choose. Open your eyes and understand we are ALL free thinking Americans – not voting blocks to be stereotyped.

Try listening to John Lennon's "Imagine" and getting something out of it.